By Published On: October 18, 2024

Agroecological Practices in Romania’s Agricultural Lands

Bio-Capital aims to take Romanian farming to the forefront of biodiversity-friendly agriculture. Use Case 3 introduces practices that restore soil health and enhance resilience to climate change, backed by innovative financial support that ensures the sustainability of these efforts.

What is Use Case 3 About?

Use Case 3 (UC3) focuses on implementing agroecological practices in Romania’s agricultural lands, specifically within the South-Muntenia region. This use case seeks to promote regenerative agricultural techniques, aiming to enhance soil health, water management, and biodiversity while increasing resilience to climate change. The core agroecological practices include the introduction of hedgerows, agroforestry belts, and a transition to organic farming, all of which are designed to provide ecosystem services such as pollination, crop protection, and soil conservation .

Where is this Use Case Being Implemented?

UC3 is being implemented in the South-Muntenia region, covering the counties of Ialomita and Calarasi. This area is known for its large-scale arable crops, making it an ideal setting to test the effects of agroecological transitions on conventional farming landscapes. By implementing hedgerows and agroforestry belts, these agricultural systems can be improved to better withstand environmental pressures while boosting biodiversity .

When is the Project Timeline?

UC3 is part of the BIO-CAPITAL project, which started in June 2024 and will continue for 42 months. The agroecological initiatives within UC3 will be developed and monitored over several phases, with initial field trials taking place by mid-2025. Throughout the project, environmental and agricultural benefits will be assessed using advanced remote sensing technologies and ground data validation .

Who is Involved?

Key participants in UC3 include local farmers from Ialomita and Calarasi counties, regional agricultural authorities, and financial institutions. These stakeholders work together to implement agroecological practices while benefiting from financial incentives supported by Romania’s National Strategic Plan (2021-2027). Additionally, remote sensing and monitoring technologies will be used to track progress and outcomes, ensuring that the practices deliver both ecological and economic benefits .

Why Is UC3 Important?

The South-Muntenia region faces significant environmental challenges, including soil degradation and water scarcity, both exacerbated by intensive farming practices. UC3 aims to combat these issues by promoting sustainable farming methods that enhance the ecosystem services provided by agricultural landscapes.

Key practices, such as the establishment of hedgerows, help prevent soil erosion, improve water retention, and enhance biodiversity by providing habitats for pollinators and natural pest control species. Moreover, transitioning to organic farming reduces carbon emissions and reliance on chemical inputs, supporting the long-term sustainability of agricultural production .

UC3 is also aligned with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which encourages the transformation of 10% of cropland into high-diversity landscape features, such as hedgerows. By integrating these features into conventional farming, UC3 contributes to broader EU goals of improving biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural areas.